Plan a Harbor Country getaway

January 24, 2008|By Chicago Tribune

Harbor Country, in southwest Michigan, is only an hour-and-a-half away from Chicago, and it's got more wineries (some of whose products are a bit underripe, but still ...) than you can shake a corkscrew at.

With dozens of vacation activities--antiquing, beachcombing, lakeside dining among them--Harbor Country (a.k.a. "The Hamptons of the Midwest"), fosters the easiest weekend getaway a Chicagoan could hope for.

We love Three Oaks for its tiny arts community and silent film festival; New Buffalo for its beaches and B & Bs; and Michigan City, Ind., for its outlet mall.

6 REASONS TO GO

1. Shore Soft, sandy beaches. Dozens of dunes. A pintsize boardwalk. And small-enough crowds to enjoy it all. In the time it takes to find parking at North Avenue Beach, you could be here instead.

2. Wineries

It's not exactly Napa. Heck, it's not even Sonoma. But Berrien County's dozens of wineries offer fans of the juice--and "Sideways"-esque tasting trips--the chance to troll the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail with a dignified sense of purpose.

3. Three Oaks

It's got a beautifully restored theater, tasteful art galleries and the cutest hightea venue (Viola Cafe) this side of the Drake. This village of 1,800 folks is home to a cycling club (Three Oaks Spokes) that has charted back roads and trails all over Berrien County.

4. Four Winds

Casino Resort A multimillion dollar casino plopped outside a town of 2,200? It sounds a lot worse than it is, and it looks even better. Top-notch restaurants, luxury hotel suites and gambling to boot--it's worth a stop. (866-494-6371; fourwindscasino.com)

5. Jackson's fruit stand There are enough U-pick farms in this county to dirty your hands year-round. But when wading through a bramble for blueberries isn't on the agenda, Jackson's is the saving grace thanks to a plethora of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers, plus cheeses and meats.

6. Sunsets

Unless you've got a trip to the California coast in your future, this is your best bet for seeing the sun set on the water. It's worth the drive alone.